Call for Comments on Long Term Care Accreditation Program

APTA members who work in skilled nursing facilities are encouraged to submit comments on proposed requirements for the Joint Commission's Long Term Care Accreditation program. The Joint Commission is in the process of reinventing the program to focus on the most critical issues supporting safety and quality of care for patients and residents in the nursing home setting. Highlights of the new approach are:

a single core set of accreditation requirements relating to quality and safety for all nursing homes

new accreditation requirements that focus on person-centered care

a new optional certification module for special programs or services, such as post acute care (including rehabilitation services), memory care, and other critical specialties

An online survey of the proposed requirements is available until August 13.The survey is organized into 3 areas—core requirements, person-centered care requirements, and post acute rehabilitation services requirements (optional certification).